It’s probably a good thing, considering the North Bay native has completed two and a half cross-country tours since signing a record deal last July.

“No matter the crowd, I always try to give it my all,” Marquardt says. “Performing on a big stage is not intimidating because in a sense I always pretended to be on a big stage.

“Touring life is amazing because I get to perform while seeing a lot of my own country. The hardest part is probably making sure I’m healthy and rested. My show is really high energy and I need to deliver every night. Sometimes I’d rather stay up late, but sleep is crucial.”

Marquardt spent three years in major junior hockey in Ontario and Quebec, and it was hockey that turned him into a musician. While at a bar with some of his hockey friends in Kingston one night, his teammate suggested he give performing a try. It was there he caught the music bug, and he has been performing since. At first it was just the local circuit, but last year he was signed with Invictus Entertainment Group and Big Star Recordings.

“It’s been pretty crazy. It has been nice to see the big stage,” said Marquardt. “The tours are over, but I still have a few shows left in July and August.”

While touring, Marquardt said he loved being in Saskatchewan – something he did not expect.

“It’s more beautiful than I thought,” he said. “I’m so amazed and proud of the Canadian Country support. The majority of the shows I played at sold out or were pretty close – I toured with Canadian country legends and the fan support was awesome.”

Marquardt’s album, This Man, is a cross between country and rock – he considers his sound between ’80s rock metal and ’90s country.

“The best era,” Marquardt says.

The album debuted at No. 1 its first week on iTunes for Canadian country albums, and topped out #3 for all iTunes country albums week one of release. He’s also performed sold out shows with country legends, including Toby Keith.

Touring has gained Marquardt a new legion of fans, something he says he enjoys the most about performing.

“It’s always great to meet new people, especially people supporting my career,” he said. “I love hearing their stories. It’s really interesting. I love hearing how my songs have impacted them, or helped them. Sometimes the stories can be sad but I’m happy it helps them out.”

The first single off the album, 21, is a catchy tune about being young and carefree. The music video features Marquardt and a love interest having fun in a variety of scenes. It is Marquardt’s second single after Smartphone, which he wrote and before recording the album.

Both videos have more than 10,000 views on YouTube, and have both been successful across Canada. The second single, the album’s namesake This Man, is due out Aug. 11.

Marquardt says they should be filming the video shortly.

Coming up, Marquardt says he has the Canadian Country Music Awards in September, and then he hopes for another cross- Canada tour. He will also be working with music producer Kevin Churko, who has worked with artists such as Shania Twain, Ozzy Osborne, Britney Spears, Five Finger Death Punch, and Celine Dion.

On the web: www.corymarquardt.com

On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Cory-Marquardt-Music/136705099736683?fref=ts

On Twitter and Instagram: @corymarquardt

emily.haws@sunmedia.ca

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Photo by Christopher Loader.

Special thanks to the North Bay Nugget for this article. See the original post here